If five-term Columbia (S.C.) Mayor Bob Coble is running for a sixth term, he’s certainly not in any hurry to amass a political war chest.
Ordinarily, that might be ho-hum news for a popular incumbent, but the City of Columbia’s widely publicized financial problems have served to erode some of Coble’s popularity. Plus, the always affable “Mayor Bob” seems assured of facing his toughest challenge yet in 2010.
That’s why “Mayor Bob’s” lackluster fund-raising total is being viewed in some circles as a sign that he is not running again.
According to disclosure reports released last week, Coble has just $2,660.00 on hand – and received only two contributions during the most recent reporting period.
Here’s a look at the scorecard:
If Coble is indeed stepping down after twenty years, Columbia Attorney Steve Benjamin would be the front-runner to replace him.
A former Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Benjamin has been quietly laying the groundwork for a mayoral bid for several months now and has broad-based local – and possibly even Presidential – support.
Columbia will be hosting a high-profile “Stimulus Summit” (a.k.a. Bureaucratic Boondoggling 101) event this weekend, so expect Coble’s status to be widely-discussed.
We’ll keep you updated if any announcements are made …
Hat tip: Q-Tip.
By Shark April 16, 2009 at 8:22 am
about time he goes, anybody “might” be better than him.
By elmer fudd watcher April 16, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Elmer Fudd, AKA Mayor Bob is toast. Anyone who has watched this cartoon long enough will vote ABC. Anybody But Coble.
By Calhoun Fawls April 17, 2009 at 5:51 am
Coble beat a legendary mayor. Maybe he has that on his mind. Benjamin has the contacts, the resources and the talent to win. Coble has hit his time not to run. Good politicians know when its time to go home. If Coble declines to run again, he will be lauded and honored. If he runs, it will be a brutal campaign that he will likely lose and he will not have all the goodbye and thank you parties. Twenty years is a good run. It’s time to salute the flag and go home, Mayor Bob.
By elmer fudd watcher April 17, 2009 at 9:41 am
Calhoun Falls…. very well said. That sums it up. Fudd does not want to say he’s not in it, but he’s not in it. Not to win it.
“You got to know when to fold ‘em….” Maybe he’s seen the light and yes it is an oncoming train.